Best Arkansas Colleges and Universities for 2017

Arkansas is home to more than 45 institutions of higher education. Among these choices are ten four-year universities, 22 community colleges and 12 private schools serving nearly 180,000 students. While each college has its own merits, some rise to the top. On this page, prospective students can find and begin researching Arkansas colleges that provide the best overall educational value. Also provided is helpful information about college planning programs, an analysis of college and living costs, and an overview of Arkansas’ major college cities.

Best Arkansas Colleges: 2017 Rankings

To evaluate their educational value, we’ve ranked colleges in Arkansas empirically on traits like tuition costs, student-to-teacher ratio, graduation rate, earnings after college, and others. While features students prioritize most is purely subjective, analyzing all of these factors as a whole can show a college’s overall quality. See which two- and four-year Arkansas colleges made the final cut in this year’s rankings.

Methodology +

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	North Arkansas College	99.77	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,500	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 32%	24%	N/A	3	50	Yes	Yes
2	Arkansas State University – Mountain Home	99.58	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,700	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 18%	28%	N/A	2	44	Yes	Yes
3	Black River Technical College	99.38	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,600	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 9%	14%	N/A	0	44	Yes	No
4	Pulaski Technical College	99.28	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $28,700	22:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 25%	13%	N/A	0	82	Yes	No
5	Arkansas Northeastern College	98.99	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $22,500	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 26%	20%	N/A	3	37	Yes	Yes
6	Southeast Arkansas College	98.64	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,700	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	12%	N/A	1	46	Yes	Yes
7	College of the Ouachitas	98.55	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $24,100	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 24%	23%	N/A	5	56	Yes	Yes
8	South Arkansas Community College	98.47	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,100	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	10%	N/A	1	48	Yes	Yes
9	University of Arkansas Hope – Texarkana	98.29	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $23,000	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 13%	23%	N/A	2	41	Yes	Yes
10	Ozarka College	98.25	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,200	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 25%	22%	N/A	5	26	No	Yes
11	University of Arkansas Community College – Batesville	98.15	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $23,900	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 36%	26%	N/A	2	38	Yes	Yes
12	Phillips Community College	98.04	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $21,200	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 17%	25%	N/A	1	49	Yes	Yes
13	Arkansas State University – Beebe	97.93	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. N/A	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 34%	35%	N/A	4	79	Yes	Yes
14	National Park College	97.11	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,000	26:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 71%	20%	N/A	5	54	Yes	Yes
15	Southern Arkansas University Tech	96.66	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,800	21:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 22%	42%	N/A	8	49	Yes	Yes
16	East Arkansas Community College	96.39	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $23,100	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 15%	12%	N/A	6	47	Yes	Yes
17	University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton	96.23	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,600	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 30%	28%	62%	0	40	Yes	Yes
18	NorthWest Arkansas Community College	96.01	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,300	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	14%	N/A	4	63	Yes	Yes
19	Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute	95.97	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $20,200	6:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 12%	40%	N/A	0	17	No	No
20	Rich Mountain Community College	95.80	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $21,300	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 23%	22%	N/A	0	32	Yes	No
21	Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas	95.48	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $21,000	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 16%	22%	N/A	4	42	Yes	Yes
22	Remington College-Little Rock Campus	94.66	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,200	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 83%	60%	69%	0	6	Yes	No
23	Mid-South Community College	94.39	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $21,800	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 17%	8%	N/A	0	35	No	Yes
24	Northwest Technical Institute	87.61	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $27,800	5:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 8%	44%	N/A	0	14	Yes	Yes
25	Baptist Health Schools-Little Rock	86.19	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $42,100	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 24%	37%	62%	0	9	No	No
26	Arkansas State University – Newport	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,700	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 9%	45%	N/A	0	43	No	Yes

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	John Brown University	99.69	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,200	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	68%	70%	1	55	Yes	Yes
2	Hendrix College	99.06	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,500	11:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	72%	83%	0	30	Yes	No
3	Ouachita Baptist University	97.63	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,500	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	59%	71%	0	50	Yes	No
4	Harding University	97.17	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $38,600	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 91%	61%	99%	18	108	Yes	No
5	University of Arkansas	94.07	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $43,600	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 38%	60%	62%	19	155	Yes	No
6	Lyon College	94.05	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,200	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	48%	61%	0	25	Yes	No
7	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	92.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,800	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 50%	19%	59%	15	92	Yes	No
8	University of Central Arkansas	92.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,100	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 85%	41%	94%	13	98	Yes	No
9	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus	92.01	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $35,900	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 82%	35%	71%	9	42	Yes	No
10	Central Baptist College	91.67	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $35,700	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 91%	36%	57%	1	17	No	Yes
11	Arkansas State University-Main Campus	91.54	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,700	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 65%	39%	72%	16	129	Yes	No
12	Arkansas Tech University	91.20	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $35,000	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 56%	41%	86%	8	81	Yes	Yes
13	University of the Ozarks	90.62	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,100	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 90%	48%	89%	0	25	Yes	No
14	Henderson State University	90.34	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $35,200	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 74%	36%	63%	2	54	Yes	No
15	University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences	89.91	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $62,400	7:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	N/A	N/A	5	28	No	No
16	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	89.04	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $27,400	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 51%	28%	39%	0	42	Yes	No
17	Philander Smith College	88.19	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,200	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 78%	31%	N/A	0	14	Yes	Yes
18	University of Arkansas at Monticello	88.15	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,600	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 51%	23%	N/A	4	36	Yes	Yes
19	Williams Baptist College	87.18	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,300	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	43%	70%	0	18	No	No
20	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $29,900	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 47%	25%	56%	2	29	Yes	Yes

Search & Compare Colleges in Arkansas

Choosing a college or university should methodical: one must be deliberate in their research to avoid being overwhelmed. This search tool lets prospective students narrow their search for Arkansas colleges according to criteria such as enrollment and tuition figures, program availability, and city location.

College Costs in Arkansas

The cost of college in Arkansas depends greatly on a number of factors, including price-per-credit, course load, degree level and residency. Other factors can mitigate these expenses: financial aid, for example, can make college significantly more affordable. Many students want to know how Arkansas school costs compare with the national average. The following graphic compares financial aid and tuition on the national level and clarifies how residency influences it.

Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas

As noted above, the affordability of one’s college education varies by circumstance, especially when financial aid comes into play. Net price is the most accurate barometer of a school’s overall cost, as it subtracts financial aid from tuition, living costs, books, and other expenses. See which Arkansas colleges have the lowest net price below.

• 1
  
  University of Arkansas-Fort Smith$6,727
• 2
  
  Southern Arkansas University Main Campus$7,543
• 3
  
  University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff$7,695

• 4
  
  Henderson State University$8,049
• 5
  
  Arkansas Tech University$9,128
• 6
  
  Arkansas State University-Main Campus$9,475

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Arkansas College Net Price vs. National Average

$12,934

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Colleges in Arkansas With Top-Earning Alumni

Many Arkansas students want to know how certain schools and programs might impact their earning potential. New graduates may face increasing expenses via student loan debt, professional organization membership dues and licensing exam costs. How much students earn determines just how well they can manage them. The following ranking spotlights Arkansas institutions with the highest-paid graduates.

• 1
  
  University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences$62,400
• 2
  
  John Brown University$46,200
• 3
  
  University of Arkansas$43,600

• 4
  
  Hendrix College$40,500
• 5
  
  Harding University$38,600
• 6
  
  Ouachita Baptist University$37,500

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Arkansas Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$35,686

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Arkansas Colleges With Least Graduate Debt

According to the Institute for College Access and Success, 67 percent of Arkansas college students graduated with an average of $25,000 student debt in 2014. Below is a comparison of schools based on graduates’ average student debt.

• 1
  
  University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences$12,820
• 2
  
  University of Arkansas at Monticello$15,418
• 3
  
  Southern Arkansas University Main Campus$17,216

• 4
  
  University of Arkansas-Fort Smith$17,432
• 5
  
  Arkansas Tech University$17,528
• 6
  
  Williams Baptist College$19,000

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Arkansas College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$22,402

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Cost of Living in Arkansas: Groceries, Transportation and Other Expenses

Arkansas has a lower-than-average cost-of-living ranking, which means that the dollar goes further there than most other states. Still, how much college students pay for food, housing, transportation, utilities, and health care impact their budgets as much as any education-related expense. The following data gives students an idea of the biggest cities in the state and the cost of living associated with these categories in each.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accreditation for Arkansas Colleges

Accreditation is the process by which colleges in Arkansas are evaluated and certified to meet various quality standards. The Higher Learning Commission is a regional accrediting body that covers many state colleges Arkansas colleges. Many individual programs and departments can also be accredited by national bodies. Among them:

• The American Culinary Federation accredits programs at Northwest Arkansas Community Center and Pulaski Technical College.
• The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation covers world and foreign language programs at Harding University, University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University.
• The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education certifies sports programs at the University of Arkansas, Henderson State University and Southern Arkansas University.

Prominent College Cities in Arkansas

Fayetteville

The third-largest city in Arkansas, Fayetteville had a population of 73,580 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census. It is a college town, and its size grows significantly during the academic year. The city offers rich Civil War history yet a modern cultural presence.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Arkansas	Private not-for-profit	$24,011	$22,900
A public land-grant institution founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas has more than 26,000 students. The Carnegie Foundation ranks it as a research university, but it is known for its athletics as well. According to the school's admissions site, students can choose from 78 majors, and the university gives $85 million in financial assistance and scholarships to students based on merit and need.

Little Rock

The capital of Arkansas, Little Rock is home to four educational institutions, two public and two private. The 2010 U.S. Census put the population at almost 195,000, but the surrounding metropolitan area is closer to 725,000. There are many cultural centers in Little Rock to complement its educational centers.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock	Public	$11,053	$74,000
A public school, UALR has more than 100 undergraduate degree programs, as well as 60 graduate degrees. There are six colleges from which to choose a major. One can also study law at the William H Bowen School of Law.
Pulaski Technical College	Public	$14,795	$39,400
This two-year college focuses on alternative programs of study, including culinary arts and hospitality, technical and industrial programs, and information technology programs. It focuses on credit transfer so that the one's courses will transfer to a higher degree, if desired. Staff also offers a number of evaluation methods for real-life experience outside of the classroom.
Arkansas Baptist College	Public	$7,211	$23,700
A historically black institution, Arkansas Baptist is a four-year liberal arts college that committed to creating opportunities for students in the black community at the highest levels of education. It maintains an affiliation with the Baptist church and partnership with the Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arkansas.

Source: College Scorecard

Arkansas College Resources

Arkansas degree-seekers can find great college resources online. While each institution’s website has valuable information on their own programs, here are some additional, unbiased resources to use during the college research process: